Valve mechanism



April 24, 1928.

' F. S. BARKS VALVE MECHANISM Filed A r-i1 e, 1925 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1..-

I 34V 33 F 14 I Fig.2. 40f

M TORNEY INVENTOR F ANK S.BARKS Fig.3.

37 mm m 43 Patented A r. 24, 1928.

FRANK SQBARKS, OF ST, LOUIS, MISSOURI.

VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed April 6, 1925. Serial No. 20,941;

My invention relates to a valve mechanism and particularly to a quick acting valve mechanism similar to that shown in connection with the lubricating system set forth in my Patent 1,601,490, dated September28,1926'. I

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form of valve made in accordance with my invention, together with a slight modification thereof, Figure 1 is a vertical central section through the valve and a cylinder controlled thereby; Figure '2 is an enlarged horizontal section through the valve; Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end view of the valve; Figure 5 isv a section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a top plan view,'partly in section, showing a modified form of both valve and cylinder; Figure 7 is a vertical central section through the parts shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlargedsection on the line. 88 of Figure 7 and Figure 9 is an enlarged section on the line 99 of Figure 7 -Referring firstto Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, 10 indicates a cylinder similar to that shown vand described in my prior patent, above referred to, and containing a piston 11 having a stem 12 of relatively large diameter so that the cross sectional area of the front chamber 13 is much less than the area of the rear face of the piston. The chamber 13 is adapted to contain grease or other lubricant, the flow of which to and from said chamber is controlled by the valve mechanism hereinafter to be described and which "forms the subject-matter of the present invention. Compressed air or other actuating fluid is supplied to the rear face of the piston being also controlled by said valve-mechanism. The stem 12 is provided with an extension 14 carrying an arm 15 for imparting motion to the valve stem.

Secured to the cylinder 10 is a valve casing 16 provided with a longitudinal base in which is a valve stem 17. Formed, preferably in integral upward extensions of the valve casing, are air and grease chambers 18 an'd'19 respectively. Ports 20 and 21 extend from the air chamber 18 to the valve base and, through these, the chamber is altt rnately placed in communication with a supply port 22, and an exhaustport 23 by means of an annular recess 24 in the valve stem in cylindrical extension38 stem. Ports 25 and 26 extend between the grease chamber 19 and the base of the valve casing and thus enable the chamber to be put alternately into communication with discharge port 27 and supply port 28 through an' annular groove 29 in the valve stem. Formed in the valve casin between the chambers 18 and 19, is a relief port 30 extending com pletely -'around the valve stem to prevent any air which might leak around the valve stem from reaching the grease ports. i

The valve stem is provided with an extension formed by a-rod 31 passing freely through an opening in the arm 15 and guided at the forward end is a bracket 32, supported in-any suitable manner, as for 8X- ample by side rods, as shown in my above mentioned patent. This bracket also forms a guide for the extension 14 of the piston stem. Surrounding the rod 31, forward of the arm 15, is a coil spring 33 carried'by an adjustable collar 34, and a similar coil spring 35 carried byan adjustable collar 36 surrounds the rod at the rear of the arm. Movement of the arm is imparted to the valve stem by contact of the arm with one or the other of the springs 33 or 35. order that the valve may be quick acting the stem is held against movement until the spring (33 or 35) is 'sufficiently compressed to throw the stem from one extreme of its movement to the other. This restraint of movement of the stem is accomplished by two yielding members, preferably balls 37 (Figure 2) arranged at opposite sides of the I of the valve casing and engaging with one or the other of two annular grooves 3.9 and 40 formed in the stem and having inclined walls. Coil springs 41 in the extension 38 normally force the balls into one of; the grooves and thus offer resistance to the longitudinal movement of the stem. The tension of the springs may be varied by means of threaded rods 42 extending between plugs 43 bearing on the outer ends of the springs. By this construction the pressure of the two balls is at all times equal so that no lateral strain is imparted to the stem; A nut 44 at the rear end of the stem, and a washer 45 at the front end serve as positive stops end of the cylinder is a pipe 46, and a pipe I 4 7 connects the grease chamber 19 with the front cylinder chamber 13. The various connections leading to and from the ports 22, 23, 27 and 28 have not been shown as they form no part of the present invention and would require the illustration of the entire lubricating system of my above mentioned application.

The operation of my valve is, briefly, as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 1, the compressed air, or other motive fluid, will enter the valve casing through supply port 22 and thence pass by way of grooie 24, port 29, and pipe 46 to the rear end of the cylinder, thus forcing the piston forward to expel the grease from chamber 13 through pipe 47 into grease chamber 19 and thence through port v and groove 29 to discharge port 27. As the piston travels forward the arm 15 will, when nearing the end of the stroke, engage the sprin d 33 and compress it until its tension is su cient to overcome the restraining effect of the balls 37 on the stem. The relative tension of the spring 33 (and to that of springs 41 should be so adjusted that the spring 33 will be sutficiently compressed to complete the movement of the stem before the retarding effect of the balls is overcome. As soon as this occurs the stem will be atonce thrown into the position shown in Figure 2, thus placing the rear end of the cylinder in communication with the exhaust port 23 through pipe 46, port 21, and groove 24. At the sametime the cylinder chamber 13 will be placed in communication with the supply port 28-through pipe 47, port. 26, and groove 29, thus reversing the direction of travel of the piston. On the re-- turn-stroke the arm 15 engages'and compresses the spring 35 until the retarding effect of the balls is overcome, and the valve stem returned to the position shown in Figure 1 to start anew the cycle of operation above set forth.

In Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, I have shown I a modification of my valve to adapt it for use in connection with a cylinder in which a common su ply of motive fluid is used on both sides of the piston. In this construction the cylinder 10 differs but slightly from the cylinder 10, but its piston 11 is not provided with an enlarged stem but is attached to a piston 14: carrying an arm 15' cooperating with the springs 33 and 35 on the valve stem 17. A rod 50 is usedto guide the arm 15. The valve'casing16 differs somewhat in form from the casing 16 having in place of the air and grease chambers 18 and 1'9, two air, chambers 18 and '19 reversed in position from the corresponding chambers in the casing 16, and a feed chamber '51 supplied by pipe 52 communicates with thebase of the casing through ports 22' and 28. The exhaust ports-23 and 27 are through port 28, groove 24, chamber 19',

and pipe 47' to thecylinder chamber 13 thus forcing the piston in the direction indicated by the arrow. At the same time the fluid from the rear end of the cylinder passing out through the pipe 46', chamber 18', port 21', and groove 29 to the exhaust port 23'. The arm 15' compresses the spring 35 in the manner hereinbefore described and moves the stem 17 to the opposite end of its stroke in which sition the cylinder chamber 13' is placed in communication with the exhaust port 27 through the pipe 47, chamber 19', port 25', and groove 24.

At the same time motive fluid is admitted parts to adapt themto such changed'conneca tions.

In view of the above, itwill be seen that A the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained; V 1

As many changes could be made incarrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it*is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

-. 1. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a valve casing provided I with ports, of a valve for controlling said ports, and provided with a stem, a spring carrled by said stem, means engaging said spring to move the stem, and restraining means for the valve comprising a pair of oppositely disposed spring pressed balls free to rotate and engaging with a recess in the valve.

2. In a device of theclass described, the

combination with a valvecasing provided with ports, of a valve forcontrolling said ports and .provided with a'pair of grooves, spring actuating means for said valve, restrainingmeans for said valve comprising a pair of opposed balls engaging said grooves,

springs bearing on said balls, plugs engag ing said springs, and adjustable means conating' said stem, yielding means for holding 10 necting said plugs for varying and equalizsaid stem against said actuating means, and ing the pressure on said balls. 1 stops carried by said stem external to said 3.- In a device of the class described, the casing and adapted to strike against the ends combination with a valvepasing having a of the 'casing to positively limit the movebore extending through itand provided with nent of the stem Y outlet and inlet ports communicating. with In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set said bore, a stem in said bore for. controlling my hand this the 3rd day of April, 1925. said ports, spring actuated means for actu.-' FRANK S. BARKS. 

